THE MARGINAL POINT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 500, 6 April 1933, Page 4

THE MARGINAL POINT

In his annual report' upon the Publie Service of the Dominion, the Commissioner, Mr. Verschaffelt, after indicating the various ' economies that have been effected during the financial year, points out that there is a margin at which savings are procured at the expense of efficiency. "Frequent reviews of staffing arrangements have been made to meet the altered conditions," the

Commissioner says. "Vacaneies have' been filled only when absolutely essential, and, wherever possible, amalgamation of positions and co-ordination of activities have been effected. As far as practicable, departmental staffs have been required to carry on without assistance during the absence of officers on leave, and only in exceptional circumstanees has leave been approved where relief has been necessary." To this the Commissioner is able to add that not- j withstanding the restrictions and curtailments that have been imposed through the demands of economy the general efficiency

of the service has been well maintained. The Commissioner, having reviewed the whole position, states frankly that the present state of affairs cannot be maintained indefinitely. "There is a marginal point," he says, "beyond which savings are procured at the expense of efficiency. It is a matter of no small concern to see the door closed to a large number of lads who have qualified by examination for entrance to the Public Service. From a departmental point ;of view also it is desirable in | order to maintain continuity and j a proper balance of staff that : there should be a reasonable I proportion of juniors coming on and undergoing training for the normaj replacement of those who retire through effluxion of time." The spectacle, of course, is one that would touch any sympathetic observer ; but it has been suggested that many boys preparing for offices might in these days be better employed upon the land where a career is no less available than it is upon a stool.